Mikel Arteta was quick to praise Gabriel Martinelli for his instant impact against Newcastle after the Brazilian netted moments after replacing Bukayo Saka in the second half.
The 20-year-old doubled the Gunners with just his second touch, caressing a volley over Magpies’ keeper Martin Dubravka after latching onto a clipped through ball by Takehiro Tomiyasi.
Having had limited game time this season, Martinelli clearly enjoyed his chance to shine and celebrated the strike, his first at the Emirates in nearly two years, with real gusto.
“It is a big moment for him,” said Arteta in his post-game press conference.
“I’m especially happy for him because how he behaves. Some players are respectful when you make some decisions, and some players are very respectful, like he is.
“He’s patient, but at the same time he’s really pushing and challenging and it makes every decision that you make even harder because he deserve more and I’m really pleased because he really helped the team to get the points today.”
Despite only playing 365 minutes this season, Martinelli reiterated that he’s very happy at the Emirates and eager to play his part whenever called upon.
“Yeah, I need to be patient as I always say,” he told Arsenal.com. “If I play 10 or 20 minutes, I have to play well and be ready to play.
“I love the fans, I’m so happy to be here, playing for this club and I’m so happy for the victory.
“We knew that the game was going to be hard, but we came prepared to the game and I’m so happy.”
Just keep going your time will come very soon! you are the future!
I know there have been links to,and calls for us to sign another striker in January, but I do wonder if January is the time to give the minutes to Martinelli?
It’s possibly a risk, but with Auba on international duty, I feel he could rotate with Laca to stake a claim as a regular starter for the remainder of the campaign and in to next season.
We’re going to need a long term replacement for Auba, who is not the player he was, so why can’t it be an internal solution?
I agree, Martinelli is a top talent, I’d be happy for a top proven goal scorer in the summer to replace lacca. Future does look good though,Martinelli, Balagun & maybe Calvert Lewin?????
Would love to see us bring in Calvert-Lewin alongside Balogun and Martinelli.
Hope Martinelli will develop into a central striker and step into Auba’s place when he leaves though I’d be happy for him if he turns out to be someone like Sanchez. I believe the ball playing/carrying forwards are the future. Auba relies too much on others to supply the ball. And his effectiveness really suffers when he is denied of service though I don’t fault his effort.
About Calvert-Lewin, I’d rather have someone like Olie Watkins.
I suspect that Martinelli/Balogun are the reason that we are willing to let Laca and Nketiah depart in the summer. Martinelli is very highly regarded, he was Edu’s first signing. When he joined us he was 18 and playing second tier Brazilian football. Shortly before signing he had been called up to train with the Brazil team prior to the Copa America 2019 tournament (similar to how Foden, Mount and Sancho were invited as youths to train with the England squad before the world cup.) He has a very high ceiling and I hope he is being given special coaching… Read more »
It was 4th tier Brazilian football!
Not exactly. Martinelli played for Ituano, a first tier side in the São Paulo state league. In Brazil we have two competitions in the calendar year (the National league starts in May) he played against first, second, third and fourth tier sides (considering the national league) between January and April. He was very good in almost every game, but, yes, Edu/Arsenal took a very risky gamble because Ituano is a third or second tier club and the fee was significant.
I don’t think it was anything to do with edu, believe it was one of the scouts we let go. Tink he was already signed before edu was hired.
Agreed, I really think he’s got everything to be a top class number 9, even if some of his showings there haven’t been great. I wonder what position he trains as. He’s definitely got that killer in him, which (at the moment given Auba’s struggles in front of goal) we could definitely use.
Seems to have been training as a centre forward for at least a few months according to this.
https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/08/21/video-martinelli-has-been-training-as-a-number-nine-ahead-of-arsenal-vs-chelsea/
So it would seem from at least the start of the season. Something’s nagging at me that there might be an earlier article about something similar, but it may be something I’ve imagined.
He’s young and still developing his game, so it’s understandable that some of his performances as a ‘9’ have been inconsistent.
Wouldn’t be bad. Our biggest problem right now is Aubameyang playing like Aubameyang through the middle. When he was out wide struggling everyone thought moving him central where he has never been consistently effective for us was the solution. We aren’t creating enough but for example we had Laca with that shot into the side netting and the chance where he forced his way through in a short spell. Auba would have jumped out of the way for that and he’s done it all his time with us. If you think we need a striker signing, it’s not because you… Read more »
I think it’s not about the question of middle or on the wing – The style of play we are playing under Arteta just do not suits him him well as he has no space to run (even if he’d play on the wing he’d be unable to play like Mahrez or Sterling bacause the latter are excellent dribblers also). In the fisrt couple of months Arteta adapted to our strengths. We evolved a lot in defense plus counter-attacked almost everybody in the FA cup. This combo worked well at the begining but as time went by the “Guardiola/Barca school”… Read more »
Auba has won the golden boot twice with us. I can’t remember him jumping out of the way when he had a chance at score a goal. When did he jump out of the way? Would like to see that, what games so I can go back and have a look
Seem to love yourself some fact but argue with narratives. Two golden boots eh?
Man is just wasted in the middle. Get him back on that left wing
2016/17 with Dortmund 2018/19 arsenal. Sorry big mistake writing us. So where are these examples of him jumping out of the way of chances.
I’m so happy for him. I see shades of CR7 with him. Would be massive if he he actualises anything close to that potential we clearly know he has.
Can we just stop with cr7 comparision. Players are aware of this comparision on social media and they do feel the burden. Also, martinelli is a great talent, But he is nowhere near what cr7 was at his age. Esr and saka did not grow with any comparision, why the hell are we burdening with next cr7 tag.
Smith Rowe is being compared to Kevin De Bruyne though.
At Smith Rowe’s age De Bruyne was still playing for Genk – it’s not a completely unreasonable comparison
He’s also nothing like CR7 as a player!
Good for the lad, and good to see him finally getting rewarded for his patience. I would love to see him getting a chance to start in one of our upcoming games.
We’re playing 13 games (assuming we beat Sunderland) in the next 7 weeks, 3 of those weeks without Auba & Pepe. Martinelli is going to get plenty of game time this winter.
Nice one Gabi. Can’t wait to see what you can do with a bit more game time.
Watching replays of Martinelli’s goal, what was really impressive, more than the finish itself, was his confidence in running in off the touchline and demanding the pass even before the ball had reached Tomiyasu. His absence from first-team action has not dented his confidence to demand the ball and take on a really difficult bit of skill.
He’s a special player for sure, he passes the eye test. The type of player you can imagine taking the game by the scruff of the neck and determining the outcome. Cant wait to see how he does over the next couple of weeks. We need a player like him in the regular rotation. Arteta needs to expand the playing time a bit and Gabi should be first off the bench.
He became my favorite Arsenal player when he broke into the scene a couple years ago. He was such a breath of fresh air in a dire Arsenal squad. Now with ESR & Saka, Tomi, Ramsdale, Nuno, Tierney still to come back – I feel like this is finally a team that truly wants to fight for the badge. To my naked eyes he seems like he has the x-factor in senior football, just like Saka and ESR. Some players had it in youth football – JET, Reiss Nelson, etc. But some players are able to translate that earlier on… Read more »
I wondered how he would fare on the right but his movement for the goal was phenomenal. I hope we see more of him soon.
I think the right hand suits his game the best tbh. He struggles to hold the ball up/get involved in the game when he plays as a nine and off the left he tries to dribble inside but ends up overdoing it. He reminds me Walcott and he worked best off the right.
Yeah Walcott is a good shout, and not a comparison that should be too much of an overburden (like Ronaldo ffs)
He’s harder working than Theo for sure, but has the same main strengths – pace, attacking movement, finishing. Probably similar weaknesses too – physical strength and balance especially
I think he’d really struggle as the centre forward, but wide right suits him and provides a very different threat to Saka if he’s well contained that day
For sure he’s more of a modern winger moving outside to in the box. It will take him a few years to build up the strength to hold onto the ball under pressure in the central role in Arteta’s system. While he’s young and has speed, the wide forward role suits him, on either wing for me.
When he came on we said, there is no one we would like to score more. Great goal Gabi!
When he came on I felt he might have a brace in him.
The one was beautiful though– wasn’t it?
Arsenal should sign another proven goal scorer who is younger to replace Aubamayang next season and sell Lacazette in the summer. Lacazette is not good enough and has passed his best. We can keep Aubamayang one more season. As frustrating as he can be with the ball most times he poses more danger than Lacazette. When Lacazette plays opponent defenders don’t even have to worry about doing much. Martinelli can replace Lacazette.
Agree 100%
Can’t really sell a guy in the summer when his contract is already up
I haven’t seen Gaby excel at hold up play so far. He struggles to hold onto the ball with big center backs, which isn’t surprising given his age and size. Better for him to develop as a wide over lapping forward that scores or assists. As he develops size and muscle he will naturally head into more central areas.
Big moment and I’m delighted for him.
Arteta has a big decision for Old Trafford if Saka is out; Lacazette, Martinelli, or Pepe are all options bearing in mind ESR’s and Ode’s positions can be tweaked.
Pepe has the stats. But will give the ball away most.
Nice goal Gabi. Mikel Arteta should play you often for u to be back to where you were before, very dangerous, a good finisher. But wait do anyone know what is wrong with Auba?
Arsenal fans, please look closely at D Calvert Lewins performances. He is average at best, only hyped because he is english, please stop asking for us to buy him. Our next striker purchase is going to be very important for our direction and DCL is definitely not in the class category we need.
Respectfully
LeProf
This is correct.
Love him.
With more minutes under his belt, the lad can make a difference. He is clearly an exceptional talent and a good human being.
AAllen love your work and thanks so much as always – just had to point out a typo in the article for Tomi. Cheers!
When I saw that Martinelli was coming on and not Pepe, I have to say I was a bit surprised but he looked in the mood as soon as he came on. Really happy for him because he has had to be patient this season.